CHIPPED TOOTH TREATMENT IN AVONDALE, AZ

What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth

There are many reasons why a chipped tooth can occur, from an accident to merely chewing. If a chipped tooth occurs, professional dental care is necessary to receive proper evaluation and treatment. It is essential to seek prompt treatment to prevent the problem from worsening.
If you have a chipped tooth, do not hesitate to seek treatment. Apple Tree Dental Studio in Avondale and the surrounding area is here to help.

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digital example of a chipped front tooth

What To Do About a Chipped Tooth

People suffering from a chipped tooth should schedule a dental appointment since professional treatment is the only way to fix it permanently. It is important to immediately take certain steps after chipping a tooth to address pain and protect the tooth and inside of the mouth from further injury. According to the American Dental Association, people should rinse their mouth with warm water right away to clean it.
After rinsing, they should apply pressure to stop any bleeding and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. People should be sure to save any pieces of the chipped tooth and wrap them in wet gauze to bring to our dentist. While waiting to see our dentist, people can use over-the-counter pain medication to manage pain and discomfort.

Veneers

Dental bonding

Root canal

Extraction

After treatment for a chipped tooth, patients must maintain a regular oral care routine. This maintenance includes brushing twice a day and flossing at least once. Patients should also follow all after-care instructions to take care of the repaired tooth and protect it from further damage.
Other maintenance tips include not biting down on the treated tooth and refining from chewing on hard foods and objects. Following the repair, patients should also attend all follow-up appointments and schedule regular dental check-ups. These appointments will allow our dentist to check the repair and protect patients’ overall oral health to prevent a chip from happening again.

close up to a smile with a chipped tooth

How is a chipped tooth diagnosed?
Our dentist can diagnose a chipped tooth by visibly inspecting the patient’s mouth. They will also ask about any symptoms and the event that may have caused the chip. Sometimes, determining the extent of the damage can be difficult and may require the use of magnifying glasses, X-rays, or other tests.
How long does it take to repair a chipped tooth?
The length of time it takes to repair a chip will depend on the extent of damage to the tooth. Our dentist will tell the patient how long they can expect their treatment to take during their consultation. In most cases, it only takes one office visit to fix a chipped tooth.
Who is a good candidate for cosmetic contouring?
Cosmetic contouring is best for people with minor cosmetic problems like small chips. The patient’s enamel needs to be thick enough since cosmetic contouring removes one to two millimeters of enamel from the tooth’s surface. If the patient’s enamel is too thin, then we may suggest a different repair method.
What are the risk factors associated with a chipped tooth?
Weakened teeth are more likely to chip than strong and healthy ones. Tooth decay and cavities are common factors that reduce tooth strength and make chips more likely to occur. Teeth grinding, eating acid-producing foods, and acid reflux can damage the tooth enamel and weaken it.
How is a veneer applied?
First, our dentist will take a mold of the patient’s tooth to create the veneer. Then, we will clean the patient’s tooth and use dental cement to bond the veneer to the tooth. An ultraviolet light hardens the cement quickly, and the patient can leave the office with their improved smile.